Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Christ Church. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.
Rug hooking was a craft born of necessity. The technique of pulling up “hooks” or rag strips or any other available woolens and yarns through woven fabric (burlap) with a “hook” made using a nail with a bent tip—like an actual crochet hook to make floor coverings for drafty homes—was around in the 1800’s in the whaling communities of the Northeast, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Canada. In Spain rug hooking skills were brought by the Moors, Arabs and Berbers. Scandinavian countries also have a rich history of rug hooking through the Vikings.
Rosario was interested in art from a young age. Oil and tempera were her medium then. When her young family of 3 wonderful boys required safety and convenience, she switched to quilt making. Shortly after Rosario became interested in the beautiful, hooked rugs that she saw in museums, magazines, etc.
The guilds Rosario belongs to include ATHA, Association of Traditional Hooking Artists, and TIGHR, The International Guild of Hand Hooking Rugmakers. Both are large organizations with hundreds of members. Rug hooking is alive and well at present, with very active artists that have a variety of styles and original designs. There are many vendors that provide materials, tools, etc. and there are also artists that gather their materials at thrift stores, church and tag sales just as the mariners of long ago went whaling to the other side of the world and used what was at hand to bring a present to a waiting wife to embellish and keep their home warm.
Rosario hooks in several styles, and she sometimes dyes her own stash of wool. The base she uses is linen as its durable—burlap is not. She uses primarily wool but has introduced velvet, satins and other fabrics to her textiles.
A reception will be held on SUNDAY, November 10 from 11:00- 1:00 pm. Refreshments will be served. Please contact Patrice Fitzpatrick at 914-393-1885 or [email protected] additional information. Christ Church is located at 1415 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham, NY. 10803.
